Next Tuesday: Don’t Forget to Vote

Mark your calendar! Election day is right around the corner on Tuesday, Nov. 1. The 2011 ballot will ask your input on the election of local officials and several ballot initiatives.

From a dental perspective, the Denver City Paid Sick Leave initiative has implications for small business employers. This measure, Initiative 300, would require that all businesses in Denver offer their employees paid sick leave. Employees would be allowed to earn one hour of paid sick leave per 30 hours of work. Companies with less than 10 employees would be required to give a maximum of 5 paid days of sick leave per year. In larger companies, employees could earn up to 9 paid days of sick leave per year. Proponents of the initiative include public health organizations and organized labor.

Proponents argue that paid sick leave benefits employee morale, prevents worker turnover and increases productivity with little additional cost to companies. Proponents have noted that workers should not have to choose between losing their job and the health of themselves or their customers. View supporter materials at http://www.campaignforahealthydenver.com/.

Opponents to the initiative include business groups like local Chambers of Commerce and a number of prominent city and state officials. Opponents have expressed concern about negative impacts to the city’s small businesses, implementation costs to the city, impact on job growth in the current economy and concern with the abuse of sick days. View opposition materials at http://www.keepdenvercompetitive.com. Denver residents, please be sure to review this issue prior to voting.

Information on statewide ballot measures and contact information for local election offices can be accessed by clicking here.

Most local ballot initiatives relate to tax, levy and bond measures. There are a couple local initiatives related to term limits for elected officials and medical marijuana dispensaries. A list of local ballot measures can be accessed by clicking here. Click on an individual ballot initiative for additional detail, which may include text of the initiative as well as rationales for the supporters and opponents.